Coffee Republic switches on Barclaycard contactless payments

4th August 2008

Coffee Republic switches on Barclaycard contactless payments
Leo King

Follows four month trial

Coffee Republic has begun a rollout of contactless payments using Barclaycard OneTouch technology.

The cafe chain will install the technology in its 16 company-owned outlets across the UK. It is also in discussions with franchise owners about using the technology in their approximately 40 outlets.

The news follows a successful trial in five London stores, where there was a 50 per cent growth in contactless payments during the four month trial to April this year. Just under a fifth of credit card transactions were made in a contactless way in the period.

It said it was the first coffee chain to start contactless payments, which allow customers to pay for goods up to the value of £10 without needing a pin number, and by just swiping their cards. The system is also used by chains including Krispy Kreme, Yo Sushi and Books etc.

Coffee Republic is using the system because speed of service had become a concern, especially during peak times.

Keisha Meade, electronic point of sale systems manager at Coffee Republic, said the technology was making a big difference to service times, especially since many of its bars have only one till.

“We have seen an incredible appetite for the technology from our customers, in particular our Canary Wharf outlet where knowledge of contactless has proved to be very strong,” she said. “Customers recognise the technology, understand how to use it and are aware of its advantages such as speed and simplicity.”

http://www.cio.co.uk/concern/customers/news/index.cfm?articleid=3015&pagtype=allchandate